3 Ways to Become More Humble

May 14, 2012 at 6:32 PM

In their book Character Strengths and Virtues: A Handbook and Classification, psychologists Martin Seligman and Christopher Peterson outline a few great practical steps leaders can essentially learn humility. “People are humble to the extent that they consider their own small role in the universe, their weaknesses in comparison to an omnipotent God, or their indebtedness to other people,” they write. To develop humility, they suggest:  

1. Taking part in “awe-inspiring experiences.” For you, that might mean spending time marveling at the night sky, or taking in the grandeur of the Grand Canyon or another natural wonder.

2. Pursuing education experiences that “emphasize the limits of human knowledge.” The mark of a true leader is their commitment to lifelong learning. Whether it’s attending in a lecture, reading up on your field or even just taking in a TED talk, exposing yourself to new knowledge constantly reminds you that there is much you have to learn about the world around you, and the people who occupy it.

3. Encountering “failure and disappointment.” Failure, and proper processing of it, can expose us to the limits of our abilities, keeping us humble and helping us to grow. If you’re not failing, and evaluating what lead to that failure, you’re probably not learning—at least as much you could be.

Question: What action can you take today to become a more humble leader?